< PreviousAny time of the year, Galveston County is a great place to spend some time. Whether it’s white-knuckle rides, delectable dining or world-class entertainment, you will have no problem keeping your calendar booked. 40 Fun things to do in and around Galveston County ARTWALK For more than 25 years, the Galveston Arts Center has produced ArtWalk on Saturday nights in the heart of the historic district. ArtWalk occurs about every six weeks, promoting visual art and artists. BAYOU WILDLIFE ZOO Come and experience your very own African safari at Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin. An adventure-filled train ride with experienced wildlife guides will take you more than 80 acres of natural habitat. See and feed animals and birds from Africa, India, Asia, Australia and North and South America. Pony rides and a petting zoo are also available for kids. BEACH COMBING Looking for treasures but don’t want to spend the big bucks? Head down to the beach, sink your toes into the sand and start your treasure hunt. You can find shells, smooth glass, driftwood or even sand dollars. Bring the kids along for a day of thrifty treasure hunting. BEACHES Enjoy walking, jogging or taking the dogs for some air along Galveston Island beaches. Spending a day out on the beach gives you time to think clearly as you relax and enjoy what nature has to offer. 1 2 BEACH VOLLEYBALL Gather your friends, divide into teams and start your own game of beach volleyball. Great for large or small parties, beach volleyball is an easy, no-fuss activity that is sure to please all beach-goers, whether they are participants or merely spectators. Stewart Beach in Galveston has available volleyball courts, with a snack bar and restrooms nearby. 4 5 3 30 | The Daily News | Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | 2022BINGO Tired of sitting in front of the television every night? There are friends to be made and prizes to be won at bingo halls, so round up your friends, no matter what age, and head out for a night of laid-back fun at BootKikkers Bingo, located in the Gulfway Plaza in La Marque. BIRD WATCHING Galveston County is a great place for birders because of the number of species that make their homes here. Whether you’re a seasoned bird-watcher or just want to identify the birds in your backyard, you have ample opportunity to see a variety of birds. Galveston County also offers guided bird tours. Sponsored by the Galveston Ornithological Society, these bird-watching tours explore the Galveston County area from September through May. BOATING Galveston County’s affinity for all things aquatic is obvious in its extensive list of boat ramps. Enjoy the warm sunshine and the Gulf breezes as you reel in your next big catch. CAMPING Why haul your luggage and your family across the state for a camping trip, when Galveston County offers its very own campsites? Galveston Island State Park, a 2,013-acre site, offers beach campsites suitable for tents and RVs. 6 7 8 10 BOWLING Are you looking for some serious competition, or just some serious fun? Either way, AMF Star Lanes in Texas City is for you. 9 2022 | Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | The Daily News | 31CARRIAGE RIDES Nothing makes for a more romantic outing or a fun family adventure than a carriage ride. Enjoy the fresh sea air and beautiful sights of downtown historic Galveston as you ride in a horse-drawn carriage. CHESS AT SAENGERFEST PARK Saengerfest Park at 23rd Street and The Strand in historic downtown Galveston is where you will find a large checker and chess set, which is free and available to anyone who wants to play a game. This adult- sized chess set is unique and played by many in the public. CRABBING Where can you crab in Galveston County? Almost anywhere the public has access to the water. The simplest and cheapest method of crabbing is using string with fish, chicken or other meat as bait. The expenses are minimal and almost every member of the family can participate. DINING You will find plenty of nice restaurants in Galveston County. Some have waterfront locations that offer great views of soaring birds and of the surfers and swimmers in the water. Many food options are available from American to Malaysian or the traditional Gulf Coast seafood. DISC GOLF Disc golf can be played from school age to old age, making it one of the greatest lifetime fitness sports available. Because disc golf is so easy to learn, no one is excluded. No matter what your age or skill level, disc golf is a fun and engaging sport. Check out the disc golf courses at Jack Brooks Park in Hitchcock and 1776 Memorial Park in Friendswood. 11 14 12 13 15 32 | The Daily News | Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | 2022FESTIVALS AND EVENTS There’s hardly a weekend that goes by with some sort of festival, fair or other event going on in Galveston County. Check out the list of annual events starting on Page 38. FISHING Surf fishermen try their luck almost anywhere along Galveston Island beaches. There are free municipal jetties, and rock groin piers are along Seawall Boulevard at 10th, 17th, 30th, 37th, and 61st streets. Jutting out across the waters of Galveston beaches, the jetties are a popular spot for area and tourist fishermen. Deep-sea fishing is an experience for the whole family. Be prepared to catch red snapper, shark, mahi mahi, ling and kingfish. GALVESTON ISLAND HISTORIC PLEASURE PIER A world-class amusement park took over the site of the old Flagship Hotel, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. The Pleasure Pier includes a roller coaster, Ferris wheel and 14 other amusement rides, midway games, gift shops, restaurants and live music and entertainment. GOLFING Whether you are a beginner or seasoned player, Galveston County has plenty of options for golf enthusiasts. For the traditionalist wanting to hit the green, Galveston County offers more than 10 courses. If you are looking for options to cater to the whole family, try Topgolf, a golf entertainment complex in Webster or miniature golf at Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston. GOLF CART RENTALS Renting a golf cart allows the whole family — dogs included — to explore the area with ease. Take a drive down the seawall in Galveston or drive around the Lighthouse District in Kemah to breathe in the fresh air. 18 19 17 16 20 2022 | Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | The Daily News | 33HAAK VINEYARD AND WINERY Haak Vineyards and Winery is dedicated to creating wines of distinction with an ambience of the Old World and a memorable experience for all who taste their wines and visit the 12-acre estate in Santa Fe. KAYAKING/CANOEING When is the last time you felt the Gulf spray on your face? All Points of Sail is a sailing school at Lakeside in Seabrook that offers classes on kayaking and sailing. They offer classes for beginners and the experienced. Artist Boat in Galveston also offers kayaking lessons. Plan your next canoeing adventure down the trails of Clear Lake. Outfitters all along the lake such as Pinky’s Kayak and Canoe Rental in El Lago or the Kayak Shack in Clear Lake Shores offer canoeing trips. LIVE THEATER The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston is one of the few remaining theaters of its era in Texas and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout the year, The Grand has events to fit all ages, including The Grand Kids Festival and performances by the Galveston Symphony and Galveston Ballet. Stage productions also can be enjoyed at Island ETC in Galveston, College of the Mainland Community Theatre in Texas City, residence at the University of Houston—Clear Lake’s Bayou Theater and Clear Creek Community Theatre in Nassau Bay. MOODY GARDENS Explore the 10-story Rainforest Pyramid where more than 1,000 species of exotic plants from the rainforest of Africa, Asia and the Americas meet. The blue 10-story building at Moody Gardens encompasses 130,000 square feet, 1.5 million gallons of water and more than 10,000 marine animals along with tide pools and jewel tanks. Visitors can explore the world of science at the Discovery Pyramid. Experience the elegance and romance of the paddlewheel from a bygone era aboard the Colonel, a triple-deck sternwheeler. Moody Gardens also boasts an IMAX 3D theater, a 4D special effects theater and a Ridefilm Theatre that holds 18 passengers and surrounds them with a 180-degree wrap-around screen. 21 22 23 24 34 | The Daily News | Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | 2022KEMAH BOARDWALK With a variety of shops and restaurants located on a strip off the Kemah Boardwalk, your friends and family are sure to have a spectacular time spending the day at the Kemah Boardwalk. And don’t forget the boardwalk bullet, a 96-foot-tall wooden coaster. Don’t forget to stop by the Lighthouse District for shopping and dining opportunities. 25 MUSEUMS Galveston is home to a variety of museums and historic homes open for tours, including the Moody Mansion, Bishop’s Palace, The Bryan Museum, Texas Railroad Museum, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum and the Galveston Historic Seaport Museum, featuring the 1877 tall ship Elissa. On the mainland, the Butler Longhorn Museum in League City celebrates the area’s cattle-raising ranchland roots. See what school was like at the turn of the 20th Century at the West Bay Common School Children’s Museum in League City. At the Texas City Museum, learn about the 1947 industrial disaster that forever changed this coastal town. PARKS Galveston County has lots of parks featuring a variety of amenities. For skateboard enthusiasts, there’s the Johnny Romano Memorial Skatepark in Galveston, Texas City Skate Park in Nessler Park, League City Skate Park at Big League Dreams and Cien Park in Kemah. Seawolf Park in Galveston features a three-story pavilion, the USS Cavalla (WWII submarine), the USS Stewart (destroyer escort — one of only three in the world), a fishing pier and a playground. POINT BOLIVAR LIGHTHOUSE Serving as a beacon of light and hope for Port Bolivar and Galveston Island, the Point Bolivar Lighthouse guided mariners for 61 years. Although it is now privately owned and not open to visitors, tourists and locals alike still marvel at its history and beauty. PORT OF GALVESTON While the mission of the port is to help create optimum economic benefit for the city of Galveston and its local region, many locals and tourists enjoy watching cruise ship activity while relaxing at a Harborside restaurant. 28 29 26 27 RIDING BIKES Many tourists take advantage of the bicycles that are available for rent for those who want to leisurely tour the area. The four-wheeled surrey bikes are popular along the seawall in Galveston. Some of them seat up to four people. It’s great for the whole family to enjoy. 30 2022 | Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | The Daily News | 35SAILING Need a hand getting your boat ready to sail? Or just want to know where to start with your sailing education? Check out the various sailing clubs and classes throughout the county. From adult to youth sailing, to adaptive sailing for the disabled, sailing schools, including Galveston Community Youth Sailing Center at Sea Star Base and South Coast Sailing Adventures in Kemah, offer a wide variety of sailing classes and programs for every age and ability level. SCHLITTERBAHN GALVESTON WATERPARK With its huge array of awesome aquatic adventures, Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark can be your personal happy place. During the summer season, the park offers more than 32 rides and attractions, including Massiv, the world’s tallest water coaster. During the heated indoor season (fall, winter and early spring), relax in steaming warm waters and enjoy summer fun all year long. SHOPPING From the Historic Downtown Strand District in Galveston to Tanger Outlets in Texas City to the Lighthouse District in Kemah to Main Street in League City, Galveston County has a variety of shopping options to satisfy even the biggest shopaholic. TEXAS ENTERTAINMENT XPERIENCE Texas Entertainment Xperience is the ultimate family entertainment destination. This 160,000-square-foot space is action-packed with attractions everyone in the family can enjoy, featuring go-kart tracks, an Altitude trampoline park, arcade and virtual reality games, a ropes course, roller skating rink, party rooms, mini bowling, billiards and more. Located inside Mainland City Centre, there are many dining options for the whole family to enjoy. SPACE CENTER HOUSTON Space Center Houston is America’s gateway to the universe. The only place on Earth that gives guests an out-of-this-world journey through human adventures in space, Space Center Houston features a multitude of permanent exhibits, attractions, theaters and exhibits. 31 32 35 33 34 36 | The Daily News | Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | 2022 COURTESY/Texas Entertainment XperienceSURFING Surfers come from all over to take their turn at surfing the Galveston beaches. The Texas coast gets a lot of wind, and kite surfing and wind surfing are very popular as well. The most consistent spots are along the seawall. TEXAS CITY DIKE Galveston isn’t the only place in the county with a beach. The Texas City Dike is a 5-mile-long levee that helps protect the city from storm surge. The dike boasts four boat ramps, 10 concrete picnic shelters and one wheelchair accessible pier. It’s a popular spot among area fishermen. WINDSURFING/KITE BOARDING Along the shores of the hurricane protection levee is Texas City’s windsurfing and kite boarding area. Considered one of the premier spots in the nation for both sports, you can find dozens using the wind to guide them across the waters of Galveston Bay. 36 38 THE FERRY Half the fun of getting to Galveston Island is the ride over. The ferry operation consists of five boats, each of which can carry about 70 vehicles, 500 passengers and six crew members. All of the boats are double-ended with a pilothouse on each end, and the captain changes from one pilothouse to the other to go in the opposite direction. Keep your eyes peeled for marine life. Feel the wind in your face as you watch playful dolphins swim alongside the ferry. This is an adventure for the whole family to enjoy. 39 37 STRAND HISTORIC DISTRICT The Strand Historic District in Galveston offers a variety of shops in the district’s beautiful historic buildings. For a taste of Galveston, visit the great restaurants along The Strand or on the waterfront. You’ll find everything from Greek and Mexican to Italian and, of course, fresh Gulf Coast seafood. 40 2022 | Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | The Daily News | 37Seasonal activities January ArtWalk Ongoing: About every six weeks City: Galveston Info: www.galveston artscenter.org Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest City: Galveston Info: www.yagas chiliquest.com February Mardi Gras City: Galveston Info: www.mardigras galveston.com Yachty Gras Grand Night Boat Parade City: Kemah Info: www.yachtygras.com March Little Italy Festival City: Dickinson Info: www.dickinsonlittle italyfestivalofgalveston county.com There’s something new and exciting happening all the time in Galveston County. Here are just a few of the annual events happening in the area. Visit websites for exact dates and information. Movie Night on the Strand Ongoing: March through October (first Saturday of the month) City: Galveston Info: www.facebook.com/ saengerfestpark Music Night on the Strand Ongoing: March through October (second Saturday of the month) City: Galveston Info: www.facebook.com/ saengerfestpark April BigAss Crawfish Bash City: La Marque Info: www.bigass crawfishbash.com Blessing of the Fleet City: Kemah Info: www.kemah boardwalk.com Crawfish & Zydeco Festival City: Kemah Info: www.kemah boardwalk.com Featherfest City: Galveston Info: www.galveston featherfest.com Galveston County Fair & Rodeo City: Hitchcock Info: www.galveston countyfair.com Galveston Island Wine Festival City: Galveston Info: www.galveston islandwinefestival.com Ohana Surf Dog Competition City: Galveston Info: www.ohanasurf andskate.com The Grand Kids Festival City: Galveston Info: www.grandkids festival.com International Wine Festival City: Kemah Info: www.kemah boardwalk.com Keels & Wheels City: Seabrook Info: www.keels-wheels.com Rotary Club of Galveston Crawfish Boil City: Galveston Info: www.galveston rotary.com Texas City Art Festival City: Texas City Info: www.texascity.gov/ 431/art-festival May Cinco de Mayo Festival City: Texas City Info: www.texascitytx.gov Galveston Historic Homes Tour City: Galveston Info: www.galveston history.org Galveston Island Beach Revue City: Galveston Info: www.galveston beachrevue.com League City Music Festival & Bar-B-Q Cook-off City: League City Info: www.lcmusicfest.com 38 | The Daily News |Live. Work. Play. Galveston County | 2022 STUART VILLANUEVA /The Daily News file photo Good Ole Days Festival The Daily News file photo Lone Star RallySTUART VILLANUEVA /The Daily News file photos Galveston Mardi Gras Lone Star Deluxe Car Show City: Texas City Info: www.facebook.com/ thelonestardeluxe Old Smokey Cook-off City: Texas City Info: www.facebook.com/ texascityoldsmokeycookoff Rock the Dock Ongoing: May to August (Thursdays) City: Kemah Info: www.kemah boardwalk.com Strawberry Festival City: Dickinson Info: www.holytrinity dickinson.org Taste of the Town & Auction City: Texas City Info: www.tclm chamber.com Tejano Nights Ongoing: May to August (Sundays) City: Kemah Info: www.kemah boardwalk.com Texas Crab Festival City: Crystal Beach Info: www.texascrab festival.org Yaga’s Wild Game BBQ Cook-off City: Galveston Info: www.ycfund.org June Bands on the Sand Ongoing: June to August (Fridays and Saturdays) City: Galveston Info: www.moody gardens.com Friday Night Fireworks Friday nights in June City: Kemah Info: www.kemah boardwalk.com Firefighter Games City: Texas City Info: www.uwgcm.org Juneteenth City: Galveston Info: www.visitgalveston.com Juneteenth Parade and The Charles Brown Celebration City: Texas City Info: www.texascitytx. gov/655/special-events Summer Beach Band Concerts Ongoing: June to August (Tuesdays) City: Galveston Info: www.galveston beachband.org Texas Outlaw Challenge & Gunslinger Poker Run City: Kemah Info: www.texasoutlaw challenge.com July Fireworks Extravaganza City: League City Info: www.leaguecity.com Independence Day Parade and Fireworks City: Galveston Info: www.galvestontx. gov/483/special-events Fourth of July Celebration City: Friendswood Info: www.ci.friendswood. tx.us/july4th Independence Day Concert and Fireworks City: Texas City Info: www.texascitytx. gov/655/special-events August AIA Sandcastle Competition City: Galveston Info: www.aiasand castle.com Shrimp Boil & Dance City: Texas City Info: www.tclm chamber.com Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival City: Galveston Info: www.brewmasters craftbeerfestival.com Good Ole Days Festival City: Hitchcock Info: www.hitchcock chamber.com September Adaptive Water Sports Festival City: Galveston Info: www.moody gardens.com Galveston Island Shrimp Festival City: Galveston Info: www.galvestonisland shrimpfestival.com October ARToberFEST City: Galveston Info: www.artoberfest.com Bayou Fest City: La Marque Info: www.tclm chamber.com Ohana Surf Dog Competition 2022 | Live. 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